Victoria’s Rotary Club inducts Rear-Admiral Robinson as honorary member

Gerald Pash, Acting President of the Rotary Club of Victoria, presents Rear-Admiral Christopher Robinson with a citation and honorary membership certificate.

Gerald Pash, 
Acting President, Rotary Club of Victoria

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Rear-Admiral (RAdm) Christopher Robinson, Commander Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC) and Joint Task Force Pacific (JTF(P)), was inducted as an honorary member of the 109-year-old Rotary Club of Victoria in a ceremony at the Union Club of B.C. on Nov. 24.

“Appointing the Commander is a recognition of the contribution made to the building of this community by Forces personnel since the establishment of the Esquimalt Naval Base and Garrison,” said Gerald Pash, Club Acting President.

For several decades, it has been the practice of the Rotary Club of Victoria to have the Lieutenant Governor and the Commander of Maritime Forces Pacific as honorary members.

The appointment citation states the following:

“For more than 175 years, leaders of the Sovereign’s Maritime forces, the Royal Navy, the Canadian Naval Service, and the Royal Canadian Navy have enhanced the business and social life of Greater Victoria.

“Successive Commanders-in-Chief of the Royal Navy Pacific Station, Commanders of the Canadian Maritime Forces Pacific, officers commanding ships afloat and the shore establishment, today known as Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt, have led thousands of men and women who have served Canada professionally and simultaneously contributed individually to this city and surrounding municipalities.

“In recognition of that legacy, Rear-Admiral Christopher Robinson, Commander Maritime Forces Pacific,
is hereby named an honorary member of the Rotary Club of Victoria and is entitled to all the associated rights and privileges.”

In addition to the citation, RAdm Robinson was presented with a membership certificate, lapel badge, and name tag. Following the induction, he spoke to the Club about current operations and the work to renew the fleet by introducing new ships.

There are eight Rotary Clubs in the Greater Victoria area. Rotary’s seven focus areas are to support peace and conflict prevention/resolution, disease prevention and treatment, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, education and literacy, economic and community development, and the environment. Rotary community service is directed at improving the quality of life for the disadvantaged and serving the public interest.